Carolina Cancer Service gears up for fundraiser to help cancer families

Published: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 6:48 p.m.

Stroll, sprint or pedal to help the families of Davidson County who are affected by cancer.

Facts

want to walk, run or ride?

Carolina Cancer Services will host its annual 'Walk, Run, Ride for Life' on April 13 at Finch Park, 15 Paul Beck Road. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The bike rides start at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K run begins at 10 a.m. followed by a fun walk at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 249-7265 or go to www.carolinacancerservices.org or www.facebook.com/carolinacancerservices.

In less than two weeks Carolina Cancer Services will hold one of its biggest fundraisers when hundreds of people come together for the 11th annual "Walk, Run, Ride for Life." The event is April 13 at Finch Park.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. A 25K, 50K and 100K bike rides will begin at 8:30 a.m. At 10 a.m. the 5K run will start followed by the 5K fun walk at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $30 which includes a T-shirt and lunch. Bikers have the option of paying the $30 or $50 for a jersey and lunch. Anyone who raises $105 will receive an embroidered event hoodie.

There will also be live entertainment, information booths, a cancer survivor's tent, a special balloon release, games, children's activities and food.

"We expect a great outside day with Mother Nature," said executive director Gary Drake. "It's going to be a very fun day. (People are) walking and riding for people here that need their help. Our families win if we get more money."

The event is one of the nonprofit organization's biggest fundraisers. The charity receives individual donations, contributions and holds smaller fundraisers. They are also a United Way of Davidson agency.

"It's a good event. It will give you a leg up on fiances," Drake said. "We appreciate United Way. Churches have been wonderful in sending money to help with the cause."

Money from the event supports services the agency provides such as emotional, financial,and physical support as well as education, awareness and assistance to individuals who are fighting cancer. The goal for this year is to raise $30,000 to help local families. Last year the event profited $22,000.

"People come out and support it because we have a good mission. It's a much needed mission," said the Rev. Ray Nance Howell IV, director of patient services.

Howell said the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry expects there to be over 1,000 new diagnosis of cancer in Davidson County this year. He noted those people will need their help.

"The need is great. I hope we will have a lot of people out there to help us that day," Howell said. "Unlike other cancer walks, the money raised stays here and helps people in Davidson County. It doesn't go to ... research. It's all about people who are stay in Davidson County."

Newcomers Drake and Howell are excited this will be their first event. They joined the organization this past October. Drake said it will be a great time for people to come out and meet them.

People can preregister online at www.carolinacancerservices.org or the day of the event. There are nearly 300 people that participate and volunteer each year. Drake gives kudos to any businesses or individuals that sponsor the event.

"This doesn't happen with two or three people," he said. "It happens with a county-wide effort. We couldn't do it without them."

Logan Richardson, event coordinator, said so many people attend the event each year because it's a great health oriented family event that supports the mission of the organization to help families in Davidson County.

"It's really good. There's a lot to do. Some people don't walk, they just come to the event for support," he said.

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Stroll, sprint or pedal to help the families of Davidson County who are affected by cancer.</p><p>In less than two weeks Carolina Cancer Services will hold one of its biggest fundraisers when hundreds of people come together for the 11th annual "Walk, Run, Ride for Life." The event is April 13 at Finch Park.</p><p>Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. A 25K, 50K and 100K bike rides will begin at 8:30 a.m. At 10 a.m. the 5K run will start followed by the 5K fun walk at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $30 which includes a T-shirt and lunch. Bikers have the option of paying the $30 or $50 for a jersey and lunch. Anyone who raises $105 will receive an embroidered event hoodie.</p><p>There will also be live entertainment, information booths, a cancer survivor's tent, a special balloon release, games, children's activities and food.</p><p>"We expect a great outside day with Mother Nature," said executive director Gary Drake. "It's going to be a very fun day. (People are) walking and riding for people here that need their help. Our families win if we get more money." </p><p>The event is one of the nonprofit organization's biggest fundraisers. The charity receives individual donations, contributions and holds smaller fundraisers. They are also a United Way of Davidson agency.</p><p>"It's a good event. It will give you a leg up on fiances," Drake said. "We appreciate United Way. Churches have been wonderful in sending money to help with the cause."</p><p> Money from the event supports services the agency provides such as emotional, financial,and physical support as well as education, awareness and assistance to individuals who are fighting cancer. The goal for this year is to raise $30,000 to help local families. Last year the event profited $22,000.</p><p>"People come out and support it because we have a good mission. It's a much needed mission," said the Rev. Ray Nance Howell IV, director of patient services.</p><p>Howell said the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry expects there to be over 1,000 new diagnosis of cancer in Davidson County this year. He noted those people will need their help.</p><p>"The need is great. I hope we will have a lot of people out there to help us that day," Howell said. "Unlike other cancer walks, the money raised stays here and helps people in Davidson County. It doesn't go to ... research. It's all about people who are stay in Davidson County."</p><p>Newcomers Drake and Howell are excited this will be their first event. They joined the organization this past October. Drake said it will be a great time for people to come out and meet them.</p><p> "Everything is going pretty good," he said. "We're doing some internal policy things, raising money and taking care of clients."</p><p>People can preregister online at www.carolinacancerservices.org or the day of the event. There are nearly 300 people that participate and volunteer each year. Drake gives kudos to any businesses or individuals that sponsor the event.</p><p>"This doesn't happen with two or three people," he said. "It happens with a county-wide effort. We couldn't do it without them."</p><p>Logan Richardson, event coordinator, said so many people attend the event each year because it's a great health oriented family event that supports the mission of the organization to help families in Davidson County.</p><p>"It's really good. There's a lot to do. Some people don't walk, they just come to the event for support," he said. </p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>